I love this chapter because character development! Fuck yeah! Also, fixing certain relationships makes me smile. Though I will say I'm doing a lot of that because the chapter I'm writing at the moment is also a huge show of bonds forming and changing and I love that.
Replies:
Guest: He knows that Greek gods have demigod children, after all that's what many of the myths are about. Also- Percy already wants Sadie to be her sister- she likes Sadie and looks up to her- but she's very aware of how Sadie used to feel about her- which this chapter deals with actually so you should enjoy it I think.
Guest: Sally is amazing, well all know that. And in this AU Sally's magic comes from the fact that she's descended from Hapetshut.
Gis: Thank you, and no, at this stage the only genderbend is Percy- I have no plans for others at the moment though I am always open to hearing suggestions- even if I don't promise to do them.
Percy wasn't sure how long she'd been out of it, but she woke up she found that they were in the room of the hotel that they'd stayed in overnight. She let out a soft groan as she pushed herself up and looked around- she could hear movement from the small ensuite bathroom- other than that Percy seemed to be alone in the room.
Her brows furrowed and she swung her legs off the bed, "Hello?"
There was a crashing sound from the bathroom and a moment later Sadie was in the doorway, her eyes wide. "Percy you're awake!"
And Percy felt a rush of relief- she wasn't alone. Sadie was with her. That had to be a good sign- if Sadie was with her and they were in the hotel room then Carter, Khufu and her mom were probably around somewhere. "Yep." she stood up- which may have been a mistake because Percy's vision went blurry and the world felt like it was spinning.
"Woah!" Sadie was suddenly by Percy's side- when had she got there? And she caught Percy's elbow, helping her sit back on the bed. "Be careful you weirdo- Sally said that you strained yourself a lot fighting Sobek."
"Uh-" Percy blinked slowly as the memories came rushing back, "Right. Sobek. I did that-" she paused, "Did I-"
"You killed him." but Sadie's voice wasn't happy it was pained- and Percy winced as more memories came back.
"Bast? I- what- what happened to- she, she protected me is- is she-"
"She's gone." Sadie's voice was quiet, pained.
"I'm sorry-" Percy desperately tried to blink back the sudden tears that wanted to fall. "I'm sorry I should have been paying more attention it's all my fault I-" and then Sadie was hugging her, Percy felt a rush of shock at that, and Sadie's hand was resting on the back of Percy's head, pushing her face into the older girls shoulder.
"It wasn't your fault." Sadie's voice cracked- and- Percy couldn't see her face- that was probably why Sadie had pushed her face into her shoulder- but she'd bet good money that the older girl was crying. "It wasn't your fault Percy. You did amazing you did better than Carter or I could have you were so good Percy."
"B-but Bast-" Percy's voice was muffled, but clearly Sadie could understand it because her arms tightened around Percy some more.
"S-she's still alive out there. Somewhere. In the Duat. She can't come back but- but she's not dead." Sadie's voice was shaking. "S-she did the right thing she saved you. He would have killed you but she saved you and I can't be angry at you. I'm just glad you're alive."
"I- I always-" Percy swallowed hard, squirming slightly. "I thought you hated me."
"I-" Sadie pulled away, gripping Percy's shoulders- and Percy met Sadie's gaze- the other girls eyes were red and bloodshot from crying "I used to." she hesitated, clearly whatever she was about to say was hard for her to get out. "I'm sorry. For being so mean to you. I- I was jealous I thought- you had everything I wanted and I was jealous-"
"I know." Percy ducked her head, "I'm sorry that-"
"No- no." Sadie shook her head, "You tried to be nice to me- you only stopped 'cause I was being vile to you. So I'm sorry." she paused, "You- you're actually kinda cool. I was stupid not to give you a chance."
"Does that mean you're giving me one now?" Percy's voice was very small- but she couldn't help but feel a hint of hope. She'd spent so long wishing that they could be sisters.
"Yeah. Yeah I guess it does" Sadie gave a small nod, reaching out to ruffle Percy's hair- and Percy let out a laugh as she ducked her head.
"HEY!"
"What?" Sadie withdrew her hand and gave an innocent grin that wouldn't have fooled a blind man. "I didn't do anything shortie."
"Ugh, you're the worst." but Percy grinned- something was different now- it was almost settling into place. This was how it was supposed to be. There was no heat, no underlying jealousy or uncertainty, just normal teasing. "So. Where are the others? Mom, Carter and Khufu I mean."
"They went to get some stuff from the store- more food and supplies- Carter and I haven't been eating so well lately and Sally got all pissy about it." Sadie looked like she was trying to hide a smile when she said that. "When they get back we're gonna make a plan on what to do next. Khufu's just outside of the bedroom guarding the door- he's taking his job very seriously."
"Of course." Percy nodded seriously before shifting so that she was sat further back on the bed, "What happened with you guys after we got parted?"
"A lot." Sadie let out a laugh, "You want the short version 'cause I dunno how long we have-" then she paused, "Oh! Before I forget." she moved away from the bed over to the bedside cabinet, pulling a small bottle out from the drawer, "Sally said to give you this when you woke up. It should help you feel better."
"Ooh, thank you." Percy caught the bottle when Sadie threw it at her and she opened it up, tilting her head back as she downed it- almost instantly Percy started to feel better, the whole body ache that she'd been feeling since she woke up started to seep away, warmth flowed through her.
"That's better." Percy shifted on the bed, crossing her legs as Sadie came and perched at the bottom of it. "So, what happened with you and Carter?"
"Well-" And so Sadie launched into her story, explaining how they'd ended up in the Washington Monument, how Bast had explained her past to them.
She told Percy how she'd met the sky goddess in her dreams and they'd went to meet Thoth at her suggestion, how they'd been chased by the Set animal- how Carter had dreamed of Set again, of his plans.
She told Percy how they'd reunited with Khufu when they'd met Thoth- and they both took a moment to laugh at the fact that the baboons that had been there had all been disgusted by how bad Carter was at basketball.
And Percy listened as Sadie told her about Thoth's test, which they'd passed, and his help he'd given them- and she told them about their trip to the Land of the Dead- though Percy did notice that Sadie was oddly vague about the trip- mostly saying that they'd gotten the Feather of Truth, not giving much more information than that.
And she ended the story by explaining how they'd gone to the river in the hopes of talking to Nephthys, of hopefully finding out Set's secret name from her so that they'd be able to banish him.
When Sadie told Percy that she felt a chill running down her spine almost- but- no. No she was being stupid. She was seeing things that weren't there she had to be. It wasn't even worth mentioning.
She was drawn from her thoughts by that soft voice again, but this time it wasn't comforting it was panicked.
He is here.
Percy tensed- and Sadie frowned, "What's wro-" her mouth snapped shut when Percy held up a hand.
Who? And it was strange- talking to herself- or she was trying to convince herself that it was herself she was talking to.
Set is here. He is coming for you both. Run.
And Percy lurched to her feet, panic flooding through her as she grabbed Sadie's arm, "We have to get out of here-"
"What- Percy what's gotten into you-"
"He's coming Set is coming!"
And somehow Sadie didn't question her- maybe it was the terror in Percy's voice, maybe it was the look in her eyes but she nodded, "Khufu!"
And a moment later the baboon was lurching into the bedroom, his eyes wide. "Agh?" and Percy noticed that he had Muffin cradled in one hand. She forced down a wave of sadness,.
"We have to get out of here." Percy told the baboon quickly, "Like- right now-"
Do not go through the door. He will see you.
Sadie was already moving towards the door and Percy lashed out, catching her arm, "No- no-" her mind was racing, "The window. We're not too high up we can jump down- once we're out we have to try and find Carter and mom."
Sadie gave a sharp nod at that, clearly trusting Percy's decision- because she darted over to the window- it wasn't big but it was big enough that they'd be able to get out of at least- though she let out a panicked noise when she couldn't pull it open.
"It's locked or glued shut or something Percy!"
"Gods damn it." Percy cursed before flinging out her hand, "Ha-di!" and the glass shattered, a loud cracking noise that made Percy wince, but she moved quickly, grabbing the sheets from the bed and tossing them over the window frame so that they wouldn't get caught by any shards, "C'mon!"
Sadie moved quickly, scrambling out of the window and dropping down to the ground, and Percy followed close behind, landing in a crouch before lurching to her feet, glancing up as Khufu came after them, one arm still wrapped around the cat.
And both of them would be in danger if they followed the two Kanes. Percy didn't want either of them getting hurt. "Khufu- go back to Brooklyn house-"
"Percy!" Sadie's voice was shocked, "But-"
"Please." Percy tried not to sound too pleading, "Please Khufu, I don't want to have to worry about you-"
"Arg-"
"We have mom with us to look after us now, you're really brave but-"
"Percy's right." Sadie blurted out, "Please take Muffin and go- I think I'd die if she- if she died like Bast did."
Khufu didn't look happy at that, but after a long moment he gave a small nod and a grunt of agreement before he turned and loped away.
Percy and Sadie exchanged looks at that before Sadie was grabbing Percy's hand and they were both moving. "I think I know which store mom would have
taken Carter to." Percy said quickly, "She's only ever really bothered with one place since we came here."
"Lead the way then!"
And together they sprinted through the streets of the town- Percy holding Sadie's hand so tight that it was probably hurting the other girl.
It felt like a lifetime before Percy spotted the car, and she yanked Sadie's hand, pointing with her free hand, "There! It's outside of the store just like I said!"
"Thank the gods." Sadie gasped the words, and together the two girls sprinted into the building- it wasn't a big store, and it took them a matter of minutes to spot Sally and Carter- and Carter spotted Percy and Sadie seconds later, dropping the basket he was carrying, which had been filled to the brim with food.
"Percy! Sadie what are you two-"
"No time to talk! We need to get to the car and run!"
"What?" Sally's eyes were wide as she focused on the two youngest Kanes, "What's going on you two?"
"Set. Set is here. He's coming for us we have to run." Sadie burst out.
"By the gods-" Sally's face went pale and she was moving, grabbing Carter's elbow, "Outside- out to the car! Go go go!"
And together the four of them rushed to the car- Sally unlocking it and rushing to the driver side as Carter scrambled into the passenger side and Percy and Sadie piled into the back.
A moment later the car was started and they were moving, speeding out of the town- and Percy felt a bit of the tension ease from her shoulders. They actually had a chance of getting away now.
"Where do we go?" Sally asked suddenly, "Where do I need to drive us to next? Straight to Phoenix?"
"No." Carter said suddenly, "No- Las Cruces-"
"That-" Sally paused, "That's not even an hour away we can do that but why honey?"
"I-" Carter flushed, "I had a vision."
"A vision of loveliness?" Sadie's voice was almost teasing.
And Percy blinked, confused as Carter's face went even redder- and he looked like he was trying to swallow a golf ball. Clearly Sadie had hit a nerve, though
Percy didn't really understand how.
"I just think we should go there. We might find something important."
"Hm.." Sally frowned, "I would have avoided cities if I could but I do trust your judgement-" and suddenly Sadie straightened.
"Wait- wait Carter's right. We have to go there."
Carter blinked, clearly surprised, "I am? We do?"
"I- I had a dream with Geb- he told me to go to the place of the crosses- Las Cruces."
"That's right." Sally nodded slowly, "Okay you two, I'm convinced. To Las Cruces we go."